title: Securing support for eye health policy in low- and middle-income countries: identifying stakeholders through a multi-level analysis.
abstract: This article empirically evaluates advocacy in low- and middle-income countries as a key tool for raising policy priority and securing high-level decision maker support in eye health. We used a unique data set based on a survey conducted by World Health Organization in 2011 on eye care and prevention of blindness in 82 low- and middle-income countries. The theoretical framework derives from the idea that a plethora of stakeholders at local and global level pressure national governments, acting in economic and the political spheres. Previously, eye care has not been investigated in such a framework. We found structural differences across countries with different income levels and proposed policy recommendations to secure high-level decision makers' support for promoting eye health. Three case studies suggest that, in order to secure more support and resources for eye health, domestic and international stakeholders must strengthen their engagement with ministries of health at political and above all economic levels.
authors.affiliation: Sapienza - Università di Roma, DiGEF - Department of Law, Philosophy and Economic Studies, P.le A. Morone, 5.00185, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Piergiuseppe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Morone
authors.affiliation: Sapienza - Università di Roma, DiGEF - Department of Law, Philosophy and Economic Studies, P.le A. Morone, 5.00185, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Camacho Cuena
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain.
authors.forename: Ivo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kocur
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón, Spain.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Banatvala
mesh_terms: D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006292:Health Priorities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D011057:Politics; D011203:Poverty; D011639:Public Opinion